Alabama Bass Trail: Mobile-Tensaw River Delta

11. Mobile-Tensaw River Delta

This is probably the least known of Alabama’s bass-rich resources, but it offers rewards for those who take the time to learn it. This vast lowcountry melding of two rivers intertwines across some 200,000 acres of marshes, swamps, bayous, creeks, lakes and lowcountry forests to form one of America’s great wilderness areas where roads and people are scarce, fish and wildlife abundant. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. For bass anglers, the tidal waters offer not only outstanding largemouth fishing but also plenty of redfish and seatrout action — saltwater species traveling upstream from Mobile Bay, particularly in the cooler months. And, like all fish in the delta, the largemouth here readily take live shrimp as well as all the usual bass lures.

The best fishing often comes on strong tide flows, which are most pronounced around the new and full moons each month; creek mouths on a falling tide are often productive. In winter cold fronts, the fish often stack up in deep holes where they can be caught on diving crankbaits, plastic worms or shaky head rigs. The rivers form a complex maze where a GPS will be greatly appreciated.

Hotels are found in Mobile, Daphne and Bay Minette. Camping facilities are available in Baldwin County at Meaher State Park and Blakely State Historic Park. KOA Campgrounds provide facilities in the Delta within minutes of I-65. Baldwin and Mobile counties are well-­populated areas with excellent access to numerous restaurants, service stations and fish camps. There are abundant boat ramps throughout the area; visit Mobile.org for more information.